Social networks and changes in contraceptive use over time: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Kenya

Type Journal Article - Demography
Title Social networks and changes in contraceptive use over time: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Kenya
Author(s)
Volume 39
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2002
Page numbers 713-738
URL http://www.demogr.mpg.de/publications/files/1100_1038821003_1_PDF version.pdf
Abstract
The impacts of social networks on changes in contraception in rural Kenya are investigated using special data from a longitudinal household survey. An analytic model, informed by detailed knowledge of the setting, yielded estimates that indicate that (1) social networks have substantial effects even after unobserved factors (e.g., homophily) that may determine social networks are controlled; (2) controlling for these unobserved factors may substantially alter the estimated effects of networks (these controls were not used in previous studies); (3) network effects are important for both men and women; and (4) network effects are nonlinear and asymmetric, suggesting that networks provide information primarily through social learning, rather than by exerting social influence.

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